A Message from President Riley

By Office of the President | Apr 28, 2026

A Look at the Breadth of Downstate’s Work Ahead of Commencement

 

Dear Downstate Community,

As we prepare for Commencement, the weeks ahead reflect the breadth of Downstate’s work and the impact we continue to build in the communities we serve.

This issue highlights that work across every part of our institution. We see it in the national recognition of our faculty, in the strength of our academic and training programs, in research that informs care, and in the lived experiences of the patients and communities we serve.

We congratulate Dr. Teresa Smith-Bellille on her selection to the ELAM Fellowship, a program that prepares leaders to guide academic health institutions at the highest levels. Her selection reflects both individual achievement and Downstate’s ongoing commitment to developing leaders who reflect and serve our communities.

We also recognize Dr. Jasmin Thomas, whose Radley Fellowship will support important work documenting the leadership and contributions of Black nurses in New York’s public health history. Her scholarship reflects the role of academic medicine in advancing both knowledge and equity.

Research remains central to our mission. The recent publication on HPV vaccine safety, led by our School of Public Health, reinforces the importance of evidence in strengthening public confidence and improving health outcomes. At the same time, the work of Drs. Babinska and Orman demonstrate how discovery moves toward application, advancing new approaches to care through innovation and collaboration.

Our academic programs continue to evolve in response to workforce needs. The transition of the Diagnostic Medical Sonography program expands access while maintaining the rigor and clinical training that define Downstate’s approach to education. Milestones like the Occupational Therapy White Coat Ceremony mark the future of clinicians who will lead healthcare forward and prepare to enter practice, grounded in research and patient-centered care.

This issue also reminds us that our impact is measured not only in programs and publications, but in people. Denise John’s story reflects the long-term impact of transplantation and the importance of access to care close to home. Her experience underscores the need for continued donor awareness and the role our patients play in guiding others through similar journeys.

Finally, SUNY’s partnership with the American Foundation of the University of the West Indies continues to expand opportunities beyond our campus. Meeting scholarship recipient Kayla Newman was a reminder that our work extends across borders, connecting education, access, and future leadership.

Together, these stories reflect a shared purpose. Across disciplines and roles, our students, faculty, staff, and partners continue to advance Downstate’s mission through work that is grounded in community, informed by evidence, and focused on impact.

Thank you for all that you do.